pls. some ideas for epcot? w/kids

[leanne11]

we usually run in do test track and histaud. then illum. and leave but since we'll be at the bcv sooo close we should go see....?anything fun in the countries?any char?

 

[duckyfordonald]

There are so many fun opportunities for kids in the World Showcase...
Don't miss the Kidcot Stations set up at each country - it's a lot of fun for the kids - they get to make a mask, adding pieces at each country. It is also fun for the kids to have a Passport (need to purchase) - they will stamp/write a message in native language at each country as well. My son also enjoyed looking for the penny press machines at each country - he made a penny at each country. Don't forget to get some candy or other yummy treat at the countries! And yes, there are usually characters at each country as well. There are also some wonderful "shows" (check Epcot park schedule) - candy maker in Japan, acrobats in China... And of course, don't miss the boat rides in both Mexico and Norway! World Showcase is a wonderful, but often overlooked, place for kids. Have fun!!!

 

[FigmentGuy]

My co-worker has 4 children ranging from 5-15years old. She asked me how to interest her kids in the world showcase. Most of the time it sounds like kids are bored to tears there. I suggested she made a folder with a world showcase theme. For each country make a section in the folder that contains color pages, facts, activities etc. Could always do a search for coloring pages in relation to the countries culture. Perhaps coloring the countries flag. Or include historic land marks, or locations of historic interest in that country. Pictures of the countries lifestyle and culture. Great learning experience for the children. Could also make puzzles with key words for kids to learn. I think kids can "get alot" from visiting world showcase.

Make Your Own:
Word Search http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/WordSearchSetupForm.html
CrossWord http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/CrissCrossSetupForm.html
Maze Maker http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/AdvMazeSetupForm.html

 

[Tink]

On our trip last week, we noticed that there were KidCot stations now at the Future World Pavillions, also. Our kids love the masks. It keeps them happy in the country side.

 

[zurgswife]

My kids have loved Epcot since they were very young. We even designed a book about Epcot for them to expand upon the "kidcot" station stops...with more info about countries and use it to get the CM's to talk about there countries with my kids.

To Do: The Movies are a nice break, The Showcase Players in the UK, Off Kilter at Canada, Acrobats in China, play the drums in the African/coke area, Norway has the playground. Future World has the Innoventions East/West lots of stuff here...take the time to go slow. Test Track, Figment...the Kodak playground is fun, Soarin'....We go to Epcot all the time and can always spend hours...

 

[dimoe]

Our first trip to disney was this past may and we spend 2 days at epcot. My daughter was 6 and LOVED it. She loved the mask and finding them in each country. She also got the cms in ws to sign a note to her in their language in her autograph book which was neat. We took a pic of her in each country with the cm. I wanted to go back to take a pic of each building but didnt get around to that. We will have to do that next time.
There is sooooooooo..... much to do please dont skip this and dont feel like you need to do something it is all there!
Diane

 

[MN Dis Fans]

My DS' like to play with the Thomas the Tank Engine set up in the England toy gift shop. One adult watches them while the rest listen to the British Invasion.

 

[wendypooh]

I just got DS a passport for our trip......... he's pretty excited about getting to make the mask, and do the passport at the kidcot stops........ he's also excited about building the robot. (and he get's to bring it home) His brothers are at college, so he's excited about emailing them from epcot too.

 

[dbenlee]

While in EPCOT, you should also go to the Living Seas and see Turtle Talk. This is a really great show and kids and adults really seem to love it.

 

[isyt]

I really don't understand why people ( don't flame me) think it so bad to learn something on vacation or that the kids wouldn't enjoy it! I have never thought that it was nt fun for kids. I have 3 kids ( 4,6 and 8) and they would pick Epcot over MK any time. I don't mean any disers but the "outsiders". I have never seen Disney advertise that Epcot is educational rather than a taste of different cultures aound the world. FW , to me, is just fun. My kids, as well as myself, love TT, MS and Living Seas. This past trip Soarin bacame our new favorite ride. Epcot has always been a favorite of our family for years and years to come!

 

[tink too]

The Character Holiday Bus makes several "stops" a day - check your park map/schedule when you enter Epcot - and has loads of characters available for photos and autographs. We also met several characters in the various WS countries, too (all by accident) Mary Poppins sitting in a shop in UK, Sleeping Beauty strolling in a courtyard in France and Mulan hanging out by the entrance to China.

Our DD3 loved the Kidcot Stops - she would have sat for ages colouring her mask!

 

[jrjac]

We just returned a few days ago and asked our son (8 years old) what was his favorite park. It was EPCOT! During our 7 day trip, we went to EPCOT 3 times, (one day and returned that evening and all decided to spend our last day there as well.) We all loved the World Showcase. I can't believe how much fun we all had searching for the pressed penny machines in each country!! dinner at Teppankaki (sp?) was one of my son's favorites! All the CM's were wonderful and so interesting. Getting a peek at different cultures in a hands-on approach was not only fun but educational for all of us. And after reading the above posts it makes me realize that even though we spent quite a bit of time at EPCOT and had a wonderful time, there is still alot that we did not see-did not even know about! We are looking forward to next time!

 

[Tinkerbells2000]

Maybe I have very strange kids, but they have always LOVED Epcot. Epcot is probably their favorite park. We don't do any of the stations, but they love going into the stores in the different countries. We also always sample stuff from each country, and just have a really good time.

 

[jrjac]

It is also fun for the kids to have a Passport (need to purchase) - they will stamp/write a message in native language at each country as well.

How did I miss this?! I am really bummed that we did not know about this for our trip last week-it sounds so cool! Tell me more for our next trip! Please.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We have always enjoyed Epcot (kids are now 8 & 5). We always have lots of fun in FW. Test Track, JIYIwF, UoE, Turtle Talk, and now Soarin' are among our favorites. SSE keep breaking down when we ride it so we skipped it on our last trip. It seems like the kids always run out of gas before we make it all the way around WS. DW and I would really like to take time and explore some of the nations, but it never seems to work out that way. Our kids just don't care much for the masks, etc. We did Reflections of China last time -DW and I were impressed but kids acted bored. Epcot os probably third on our list of favorite WDW parks.